256 Obituary. 



Died, at Mile End Nursery, on the 5tli of January last, ^^r. Archibald 

 Thomson, aged 7f> years. 



This eminent nurseryman, who was rehited to tiie eelehrated poet of tiie 

 same surname, received the rutliments of his horticultural eiiucation under 

 his father, in the vicinity of Edinburi;li ; and afterwards, in Enjjland, im- 

 proved iiiinself so much, tliat he was appointetl i)otanie ijardcner to the 

 Earl of Bute, at Luton IIoo, in Bedfordshire. In this, at that time, first- 

 rate situation, his abilities as a practical botanist, and his conduct as a man, 

 not only i^aincd for him the approbation and patronage of liis noble master, 

 who was a distinijuished lover of plants, but also the tiicndship of Messrs. 

 (xordon and Dermer, seedsmen in Fenchurch Street, and nurserymen at 

 Mile End, near London, by whom he was invited to superintend the latter 

 department of their business; and was admitted a partner in that lespect- 

 able firm upwards of 50 years ago. 



The Mile End Nursery was at that time one of the first about London; 

 and it was much extended and improved by Mr. Thomson. Tiie collection 

 of hardy trees and shrubs was unrivalled; and very many of our finest 

 American and other exotics were introduced through, and their cultivation 

 determined in, that nursery. Mr. Thomson was excessively fond of fine 

 specimens of his various stock ; and, no doubt, had nuich personal gratifi- 

 cation in their preservation : but he lived to see that, though this was a road 

 to fame, it led not to the reward it merited Many of these specimens arc 

 now on sale, in the possession of his son and successor, and aie well worth 

 the attention of collectors who are forming arboretums or public gardens. 

 Magnoh'rt ThomsonwH«, amongst other estimable plants, is commemo- 

 rative of Mr. Thomson's skill and assiduity ; and his moiles of practice in 

 the propagation and nursery culture of plants will ever remain, as they 

 have long been, the guide of his numerous pupils and brethren in the pro- 

 fession, by whom he was always highly respected. — J. M. 



Died, at Woodliall in Lanarkshire, the seat of W. F. Campbell of Shaw- 

 fiekl, on Monday the IGth of January, Mr. Waller Hfiidcrsuii, aged 73. 

 lie hail filled the situation of gardener at Woodliall for 47 years, justly 

 esteemed as a first-rate practical and scientific horticulturist, and com- 

 bining with strict integrity of character an amiability of manners which 

 endeared him to all who had the |)leasure of his acquaintance; while his 

 unostentatious kintlness, and facility in communicating professional inform- 

 ation, will be long remembered with gratitude, not only by a numerous list 

 of gardeners educated under him, but by n)any in the profession who were 

 within reach of benefiting by his friendly instructions and advice. — S. JI. G. 



Died, January 'io., deeply lamented by his fiunily and a numerous circle 

 of friends, Mr, James Culvill, nurseryman of the King's Road, Chelsea, in 

 his 5.jlli year. 



Died, in London, February 4., the Comtrsse des Vandcs, who, for many 

 years, was a patroness of |)ractical botany, as maybe seen by the numerous 

 plants which have been figured, in the botanical perioilicals, from her 

 well-known botanic garden at Bayswater. We regret to learn that the 

 collection is to be sold; as we were in hopes that the count would have 

 retained it, or that some arrangement might bo made to keep it up as a 

 subscription botanic garden. 



